Item #3 Maternal Health in Austin/Travis County - Austin Public Health — original pdf

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Maternal Health in Austin/ Travis County July 9, 2025 D R . D E S M A R WA L K E S , H E A LT H A U T H O R I T Y F E R N A N DA S A N TO S , E P I D E M I O L O G I S T L A U R A G . L A F U E N T E , A S S I S TA N T D I R E C TO R D O N N A S U N D S T R O M , A S S I S TA N T D I R E C TO R Travis County Maternal Health Indicators 2018-2022 Data source: Center for Health Statistics, Texas Department of State Health Service †Non-Hispanic Other race/ethnicity category also includes cases with unknown race/ethnicity and includes multiple race responses Maternal Infant Outreach Program Peer support to African American/Black women who are pregnant or have a child under 1 of age. Services Include 1:1 Home visits • • Maternal health education • Resource navigation assistance • • Psychosocial support Sisterhood FY24 Achievements • 71 Clients Served • 83% babies born at-term • 83% babies born at a healthy weight • 91% of MIOP moms screened for • Intimate Partner Violence FY25 Grant Funding - $569,048.44 Family Connects Evidence-based, Registered Nurse Home Visiting Model Serves anyone who: • • Delivered a newborn at St. David’s South or Ascension Seton Main hospital -OR- Eligible and/or receiving WIC services -AND-Infant under 12 weeks Provides: Home visit around 3 weeks postpartum; • • Maternal-infant health assessments • • • • • Clinical education addressing maternal high blood pressure, depression/anxiety, infections, bleeding Lactation support Communication with healthcare providers Direct support and referrals to community resources Touchpoint at 4-6 weeks after visit to assure referral connection Funded by grants and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Highlights: • • • Direct supports include HEB gift cards, diapers, cribs, car 1,000+ families 180+ follow-up visits seats, breast pumps/supplies and transportation Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Serves: • Pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 Low and moderate income families (< 185% federal poverty level) • • Travis and Bastrop counties Provides: • Nutritious foods • Health assessment • Nutrition education • Breastfeeding support • Referrals to health and social services • Support during disasters/emergencies Funded by federal grant Highlights: • 12 clinic sites • Mobile Unit team serving 12 locations around Travis County • 31,000 participants served each month • Over 276,759 food benefits issued • ATX Family Cares Facebook Group • Prenatal vitamins • Participates in community coalitions/workgroups Mom's Place Lactation Support Center Services Include: •Lactation consultations •Breastfeeding support and education •Telephone help line •Weight checks for baby •Breast pumps/supplies as needed •Communication with healthcare providers •Training for healthcare professionals •Support during disasters/emergencies Funded by grants Highlights: • FY25 (to date) 2,231 lactation services • Have provided services to the community for over 30 years. • Expanded to a NEW location in South Austin • Transportation assistance • Supports Mother Friendly Worksite for the City of Austin What our Clients are Saying “My nurse was just the angel that I needed. I felt like I was drowning with no place to go, no family or friends nearby to turn to. I have been in touch with all the referrals she recommended. It hasn't been easy being a new mom with no transportation or people to turn to...” "Thank you to the amazing partnerships and dedicated staff at WIC and Mom’s Place who continue to support our families in their breastfeeding journey” “My visit was great. When the nurse came over, she helped my husband. I feel a lot more comfortable about stuff. I think the thing I was really worried about was my c-section incision and what it looked like. It was nice having a nurse look at it because it was going to be weeks before I saw my OB...Me and baby are doing really well.” “I want to thank (CHW and MIOP) because without the team I wouldn’t be as prepared and confident for my first born! This program means so much to me!” “I absolutely love WIC… I love picking out fresh fruits and veggies with my kiddos and then preparing them at home! I’m so thankful for programs like this! It really helps us out and I don’t have to worry that we won’t have milk or eggs or bread bc I’m broke.” “having all of the services before me like right in front of me helped me to become more knowledgeable and more prepared and I'm still implementing them and in real time right so it's been it's amazing this is great” Citywide Maternal Health Equity Collaborative (CMHEC) CMHEC Timeline Recognizing the persistent disparities in maternal care. Recognized gaps in resource sharing and maternal health access. Resource building and network action. 1st CMHEC Collaborative Summit Steering Committee Priorities First Conversation 2nd CMHEC Collaborative Summit 3rd CMHEC Collaborative Summit Connecting with lived experiences that are not represented in maternal health outcomes metrics; through Theater of the Oppressed. Survey, Assessment, and Discussion to gain consensus on collaborative goals. Thank you!